Household Support Fund (HSF) 

Discretionary Hardship Support Policy (PDF, 385.46 KB)

This scheme is intended to alleviate hardship and support those most in need that have been affected by the significant rising in cost of living and are suffering financial hardship.

The HSF is funded entirely by the Government via the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Additional, government funded, Cost of Living Support may also be available to you. Please visit the Cost of Living Support page on GOV.UK.

Support may be provided against (but not limited to):

• the cost of living
• energy costs and arrears
• Help towards the provision of essential white goods (emergency need only)
• Help towards moving in packs for new tenancies (emergency need only)
• In some circumstances the Council may consider additional financial support for reasons not listed above such as severe or long-term financial issues. 

The support allows residents who face a variety of challenges, time to find alternative solutions to shortfalls in income and help with the cost of living on a short term and temporary basis and it should not be seen as a permanent solution.

Housing costs can only be considered in exceptional circumstances where existing housing support schemes such as Housing Benefit, Universal Credit Housing Element, Discretionary Housing Payment and homeless prevention support do not meet the exceptional need.

The Council Welfare service currently administers and operates three discretionary funding schemes of which there is one online application form for all schemes:

• Discretionary Council Tax Relief Scheme (DCTR)
• Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP)
• Household Support Fund (HSF)

Applications for all discretionary funding schemes must be made online and we will only consider your application against each scheme that you apply for. Evidence must be uploaded before submitting the application online. The online application can also be treated as a claim for Council Tax Support and Free School Meals where there is eligibility and entitlement unless you do not wish to receive these additional benefits. 

If you are unable to make a claim online, then support to complete forms is also available from the Council’s digital champions volunteers who are available at local libraries and community HUBS. 

The Homes and Money Hub may also be available to provide support on making an application if the criteria is met.

You must give authority to act to anyone completing an application on your behalf.

Our outreach visiting service can support to make an application only if the following circumstances apply:

• the applicant is disabled and
• is unable to leave the home as a result of that disability and
• is unable to complete the claim as a result of that disability and
• no family member, friend or other suitable person is available to assist the applicant
• has any other legitimate barrier to the completion of an application requiring support 

If all of the above apply, then please email visitingandwelfareemails@lbbd.gov.uk you’re your contact details and details of which scheme that you wish to apply for and reasons for applying. 

Customer commitments and other information

The schemes will work in conjunction with the Homes & Money Hub to support the residents across a broad range of services. This will include referrals of applicants to services such as Job Shop, Budgeting and Debt advice, Adult Learning, voluntary sector organisations and any other relevant service as applicable for further advice and ongoing support.

We usually only make one award every 6 months, and this could be either a one-off payment or an ongoing award for up to 26 weeks as deemed appropriate. The award can be issued by phone text payment (ATM withdrawal link), direct payment to utility providers, council tax/rent accounts or landlords and in exceptional circumstances only a BACS payment into your nominated bank account.

The level of payment will be decided by the Council. The schemes are discretionary, and the claimant does not have a statutory right to payment or appeal however if requested we will review the decision unless your application was submitted without the required evidence or you have had a previous award within 6 months and do not declare it or you have no extenuating circumstances. 

If Discretionary funding is awarded, we may provide budgeting advice and work with you the customer and develop an action plan to move towards your affordable long-term solution.